Santa Ynez Valley Star • September 17 - September 30, 2024
Formerly vacant corner lot becomes Buellton’s ‘green spot’
A combined effort between volunteers, nonprofits, and the city results in the opening of Buellton Community Garden
By Mike Chaldu
michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
Apreviously vacant lot, located at the corner of Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Buellton, now promises to be the hub of activity, thanks to a gardener with a vision and a number of organizers and volunteers. Oh, and a little bit of help from the city.
The nonprofit Buellton Community Garden (BCG), more than five years in the making, hosted an official kickoff at the lot located a block west of Avenue of Flags on Saturday, Sept. 7. Artist Annie Yakutis and her husband, Greg Erickson, hosted the reception, which included such local luminaries as County Supervisor Joan Hartmann, and Mayor Dave King, City Councilmembers Elysia Lewis and David Silva, and City Manager Scott Wolfe from Buellton.
“It’s been a great turnout,” Annie said. “This is an exciting moment, we’re meeting each other [volunteers] for the first time, pretty much.” This is very much promoting an in-person kind of activity — it’s not virtual.
“But I’m the most excited about, in the future, seeing more people here all the time.”
The Buellton Community Garden (BCG) has 46 gardening beds available, with a handful already reserved. Two of the beds are ADA-compliant.
While Buellton residents will have
first dibs on securing a garden bed, anyone is welcome to apply.
The seeds of a local community garden were planted after Yakutis and Erickson moved to Buellton in 2010. An artist and Master Gardener, Yakutis slowly restored the native habitat alongside the leased industri-
al space she used for a studio, transforming the space into a lush — albeit diminutive — habitat for birds, bees and butterflies as well as a lovely, shady spot to sit.
As the pandemic took shape in early 2020, Yakutis took “long,
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Spotlight | Pg. 10 Ezra Tucker chosen as SLOPOKE’s featured artist and awards jurist
News Briefs Pg. 2
• Possible threat against school deemed not credible by law enforcement
News Pg. 3
• Three candidates vying for Solvang’s mayoral seat
Sports Pg. 8
• Pirates football at 1-2 after defeats to Lompoc, San Marcos
Community Pg. 12
• Solvang getting ready for annual Danish Days
Community Pg. 14
• A new café, a new radio station, dreams long held come to fruition
Arts & Nonprofits Pg. 15
• The Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara returns to Santa Ynez
Calendar Pg. 19
• Government meetings and events
Melinda Owens and her kids Remie (left) and Ady look at one of the planter boxes at the Buellton Community Garden on Saturday, Sept. 7. The Community Garden is located at Central Avenue and 2nd Street in Buellton. Photo by Mike Chaldu
NEWS BRIEFS
BUELLTON
Possible threat against school deemed not credible by law enforcement
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office learned of a possible threat made to Jonata Middle School in Buellton late Tuesday, but after a brief investigation considered the threat non-credible.
The Buellton Union School District sent a message to parents of Jonata and Oak Valley Elementary School students on Wednesday to inform them.
“Last night we were notified by law enforcement about the report of a possible threat to Jonata Middle School,” the message signed by BUSD Superintendent Dr. Randy Haggard, and Principals Lisa Melby and Casey McKeen. “Law enforcement responded immediately, and after their investigation, law enforcement has communicated that there is no credible threat to the school.”
While the letter said school personnel were “limited” in what they could say due to privacy and safety concerns, it assured parents that “anyone associated with this situation has already been contacted.”
Jonata Middle School and Oak Valley Elementary stayed on its regular schedule of classes Wednesday, Sept. 11, and their counseling staff was made available for students and staff as needed.
“We had a great day at schools in Buellton Union School District with normal attendance, and a safe learning environment,” said Haggard by email Wednesday afternoon. “The district is appreciative of the support and communication from our law enforcement partners at Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.”
SOLVANG
State Route 246 lane closure began Monday for sewer main work, lasts until Sept. 27
Travelers on State Route 246 near Entrance Road in Solvang are encountering one-way reversing traffic control that began on Monday, Sept. 16.
This traffic control on a one-quarter mile section of SR 246 near Entrance Road will take place Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Work is expected to be complete on Friday, Sept. 27.
This lane closure will allow Caltrans to make improvements on an existing sewer main in the shoulder of SR 246. Delays are not expected to exceed 10 minutes.
Travelers are encouraged to be aware of electronic message boards, flaggers and all highway workers within this work zone.
The contractor for this $80,000 project is Tierra Contracting of Goleta, CA.
Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at @CaltransD5, Facebook at Caltrans Central Coast (District 5), and Instagram/Threads at @Caltrans_D5.
Solvang State of the City to be held Sept. 27
The Solvang Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the Solvang State of the City 2024, on Friday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Craft House at Corque.
The Solvang Chamber of Commerce is also honored to announce that the Solvang 2024 State of the City keynote speaker will be Jesper Kamp, CEO and consul general of Denmark. Kamp brings a wealth of experience and
insight, particularly in sustainable solutions for water and energy issues, areas that are crucial for our community’s future. His tenure as consul general to the U.S. West Coast underscores Denmark’s commitment to collaboration and innovation in addressing global challenges.
The State of the City will begin with an invocation promptly and the Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Art Kaslow, commander of 180 medical units. Additionally, there will be a tribute to Alvin Salge, commander of VFW Post #7139. Afterwards, Solvang Mayor Mark Infanti and Solvang City Manager Randy Murphy will give a presentation on the city’s services provided to the community, accomplishments, city spending, and key strategic initiatives from the 2023-24 fiscal year thus far. There will also be a discussion on the spending on future revenue-generating options (sales tax increase, transient occupancy tax increase, or formation of business improvement district) to support the city’s infrastructure, quality of life for our residents, and thriving downtown as an economic engine for our community.
Following the address, there will be an opportunity for you to meet Kamp and engage in a dialogue about the presented topics. We encourage you to join us and participate in a question-and-answer session to share your thoughts and inquiries regarding our city’s projects and initiatives.
The Solvang Chamber of Commerce is currently led by executive team President Rene Martinez, Vice President Charles Werner, Treasurer Dan Cassara, Secretary Lisa Mesa, and Director at Large Steve Jenkins. The Solvang Chamber is proud to be the leading business organization providing timely, relevant, and trustworthy information from our elected officials and City leadership teams. The event is one of the largest business events in Solvang and the premier event for Chamber members to hear from their elected officials.
The Solvang State of the City is open to the public. For those seeking to purchase tickets, luncheon included is available for $55 at www.eventbrite.com/e/economic-summit-introducing-solvang-state-of-the-city-tickets- 952811473767?aff=oddtdtcreator. For questions, contact the Solvang Chamber of Commerce at (805) 688-0701. Sales end Sept. 25.
Registration deadline for Solvang Scarecrow Fest is Sept. 26
this year’s Scarecrow Fest. Star File Photo
It’s not too early to start thinking about scarecrows! The 15th Annual Scarecrow Fest is almost here, and everyone is invited to participate. Businesses can put a scarecrow display on the premises and can win prizes.
If you would like your business to appear on this year’s Map & Ballot please register at www.syvscarecrows.com! Last day to register is Thursday, Sept. 26.
Scarecrows will be judged by the public in the following categories:
• Most Danish
• Best Photo Op Scarecrow
• Best Use of Recycled Materials
• Spookiest
• Best Use of Business Theme
• Most Humorous
LOS OLIVOS
St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church launches capital campaign for improvements
St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Espicopal Church in Los Olivos strives to be a welcoming, inclusive, compassionate church where spirituality, faith, music, arts, and service blend together. Our buildings serve as beacons of acceptance in the Santa Ynez Valley for those of all faiths or none. Following the example of prior generations, we must take responsibility to ensure our church buildings are functional and adequately maintained for generations to come.
The funds for the two new roofs on Stacy Hall and Firestone Hall have been generously donated and now the church’s goal is to raise $272,000 to complete the remaining maintenance.
The Vestry of St. Mark’s proposes improvements to our facilities in the following areas:
The Santa Ynez Valley Humane Society was awarded the 2024 Harvest Cup with the best Scarecrow Fest display last year. Businesses have until Sept. 26 to register their displays for
Three candidates vying for Solvang’s mayoral seat
Jamie Baker, David Brown, and Denise El-Amin will be on the ballot this November in city’s only competitive race
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
Two years ago, Solvang’s mayoral race was a foregone conclusion, what with Mark Infanti being the only person to run for the office. Now, after a two-year term, Infanti has decided not to seek another term and instead put in his papers for the 1st District City Council seat, where he will run unopposed.
With that, three candidates have emerged to seek the mayoral seat for a two-year term. They are local business owner Jamie Baker, current Mayor Pro Tem Dave Brown, and County Behavorial Wellness Commission member Denise El-Amin (Candidate sections are organized in alphabetical order by last name).
Jamie Baker
Local author and business owner Jamie Baker is known by many in Solvang as the proprietor of the Space VR virtual reality lounge on Alisal Road, but he had designs and running for public back in 2020 before a bad medical diagnosis sent that off track.
“About four years ago, I was asked to run when we had some turmoil on the council,” Baker said. “So I threw my hat in the ring for City Council, and then two weeks later I found out I had cancer.
“I went and had coffee with the other candidate who was trying to bring stability, and he was a perfectly fine candidate so I backed off.”
Despite dropping out of the race to concentrate on his treatment, Baker was able to pick up some votes.
“I still got 800 votes because every kid has been at my business, and I’ve worked with a lot of schools for educational and field trips,” he said. “Then COVID hit and it cut down on business, so I started writing novels while the pandemic was going on.”
But now, with the cancer and pandemic behind him, Baker was asked to run again, this time for the mayor’s seat. He would like to help make Solvang a town that doesn’t have to rely so much on tourism
“I think Solvang is fine, but our expenses climb as our revenue goes flat,” he said. “And our choices of dealing with that are slim: raise taxes or cut expenses. And, I think right now our economy is based on tourism; in fact, right now it seems to be based on hotel stays and alcohol.”
Baker thinks there are other streams of revenue the city can tap.
“I’m talking about, you know, arts and culture, recreation,” he said.
“All these things will generate people coming and staying as opposed to driving by, stopping, and moving on.”
Before moving to Solvang in 2014, Baker had some experience with LA County recommending recipients for grants.
“We had $100 million worth of Prop 12 funds dispersed between the Parks and Rec department,” he said. “So I was pretty much entrenched in that, working with the county supervisors and attending my share of government meetings.
“I think we just need to find ways to diversify our revenue, because I think we have the opportunity. And, the potential infrastructure for that to happen is already here; it just needs to be reengaged.”
David Brown
Having been elected in 2022 as one of the first two district-based City Councilmembers in Solvang, and serving as Mayor Pro Tem during this term, Brown has been a notable presence in council chambers.
“When Mark [Infanti] decided not to run for reelection, I decided to run to keep the continuity there,” said Brown, who’s also a licensed mortgage lender and business owner. “I think the council’s been running well the last two years, and with me — I’ve been mayor pro tem for the last two years — I can just take the seat and go. I won’t need any prac-
tice, I won’t need any warmup.”
Being a business owner himself, Brown wants to start making it easier for businesses in Solvang.
“I want to improve and update the building codes, and make them more transparent,” he said. “I heard of businesses putting up a sign, or something else on the building and be told it’s against code. Then they’re saying ‘why didn’t you tell me that before.’”
“We should institute a pallette of colors and kinds of signage where we could tell owners ‘these are your options’ and they pick from those,” he said. “And I want to keep the ordinances consistent. Like the outdoor dining with the Copenhagen Drive restaurants. I don’t want to see a rule that pertains to a business on Copenhagen, but it doesn’t apply to one on Mission, for instance.”
Another idea Brown has is to step up job training and volunteer opportunities.
“I’d like to see the city sponsor some kind of apprenticeship program,” he said. “It can be a different person for each shop and storefront, learning things like stocking goods and point-of-sale skills. After they’re done they have retail skills and can work anywhere.”
Brown also likes the idea of a volunteer brigade.
“We could have people with buttons or stickers saying ‘Ask Me Anything’ and answer any questions about the down,” he said. “Or they
could give directions to a certain place or shop, or manage the crosswalks on Mission, which can get hairy with the heavy traffic.”
In general, Brown just wants to keep the town a desirable one for tourists and residents alike.
“Solvang had a brand, just like Disney or McDonald’s,” he said. “I want to protect that brand and keep it a desirable place to come to.”
Denise El-Amin
Denise El-Amin, who serves as an appointee, on the county’s Wellness Behavior Commission, is no stranger to Santa Ynez Valley ballots.
“I ran for City Council in 2016, but didn’t get it,” El-Amin said. “Ever since, in every election cycle, I make it a point to exercise my right to run for office.”
And this year, El-Amin will be vying for the mayor’s seat.
“Well, we have district elections now and I would have run, but the current mayor, Frank Infanti, is dropping down to the District 1, which is my district,” she said. “So I decided to run for mayor, because that’s the only way for me to get on council, because if the mayor pro tem wins, they’ll appoint someone and I won’t get in because it’s not my district.”
It’s a setup that El-Amin called an “unfair advantage. And if I can win mayor, I take that away.”
It’s El-Amin’s aim to add a different voice to City Council.
JAMIE BAKER
DAVID BROWN DENISE EL-AMIN
Buellton Planning Commission expresses praise, and some concerns, over proposed Highway 246 project
Retail center at 246 and Avenue of Flags would have hotel, coffee shop, and market in art deco design
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
The Buellton Planning Commission met for its regular meeting on Thursday, Sept. 5, and had order of business: A Preliminary Review of the “Highway 246 Commercial Center” on a collection of small parcels at the corner of Highway 246 and Avenue of Flags.
Contract City Planner Irma Tucker presented the staff report for the project, listing the owner as Central Holding Group, LLC, and the applicant as Lonnie Roy, of ON Design, Architecture & Planning.
This was the third review for the project. In the first review by the Planning Commission on Aug. 3, 2023, the commissioners had concerns about the overall style of the center. The project was resubmitted, with suggested changes, to the Planning Commission on March 21 of this year, and it was favorably
received at that meeting, and at the April 11 City Council meeting, Tucker said.
As explained by Tucker in the staff report, the project, which falls under the Avenue of Flags Specific Plan, consists of:
• A market/deli (7,925 square feet)
• A coffee shop with a drive-thru (1,770 square feet), which would sport a giant coffeepot the customers’ vehicles would actually drive through
• A 24-room motel (24,490 square feet)
• 65 parking spaces
Tucker pointed out that the drive-thru at the coffee pot was not usually allowed under the Avenue of Flags Specific Plan, but that there was an appeal process to change policy for a business, and the applicant did file an appeal.
“Judging by the comments in previous reviews, we should proceed with request to change,” Tucker said.
The floor then opened for questions from the commissioners.
Commissioner Marcilo Sarquilla asked how it was decided to go with an art deco style instead of, say, Gregorian.
“We have specific examples of each architectural design and it is selected by our contracted city architect,” Tucker said. “He is also
the architect who helped with our Avenue of Flags Specific Plan.”
Sarquilla seemed satisfied with that answer, saying he wanted it confirmed an outside architect was consulted.
Later, after the applicant took questions from the commission, Sarquilla asked about a pollution study for the coffee-shop drive-thru.
“One of the neighbors there told me that drive-thrus have a significant amount of pollution,” he said. “Could staff take a look at that?”
Also, with the appeal being needed for the drive-thru, Sarquillo asked why drive-thrus were allowed in the area east of Highway 101, but not west of the highway.
“When Specific Plan was created, City Council put in the ‘no drive-thru policy to keep the downtown feel,” Tucker said. “However, we are taking a look at the 101 corridor and reviewing that policy allowing the drivethrus.”
After that, Contreras had a couple more comments.
“I don’t think the color matches up too well for the rest of the town,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s an issue for the community, but it’s a little concerning for me.”
That leads to a bigger issue, Conteras added. “I’ve talked to community members, and we need a balance between the needs of the owners and the needs of the city as a whole,” he said. “There’s concerns about a different hodgepodge of parcels vs. one continuous style. Are we going to open up a pandora’s box?”
Tucker pointed out the Specific Plan allowed for certain sites to have “specialty” buildings and the site of the proposed commercial center was one of them.
Despite the concerns aired, Sarquilla and Contreras did say they liked the project and would like to see it succeed. The other two commissioners concurred.
“What I appreciate is you went to acquire all the little sites and put them together to achieve the cohesiveness,” said Vice Chair Shannon Reese. “The color scheme carries across theme without looking identical. There was a ‘50s style motif called out for this and this met it.”
“Changes [from the original draft of the project] are awesome,” Sarquilla added. “It’s an iconic corner; after discussion, you’ve done an outstanding job. Each one being individual is important. Thank you for bringing it to us and to the city.”
This artist’s rendering shows the coffee shop that would be part of a commercial center at the corner of Highway 246 and Avenue of Flags in Buellton. Photo Courtesy of On Design, Architecture & Planning
Solvang City Council gets a crash course in pension liability
Financial advisor lays out possible strategies to tackle CalPERS liability
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
The Solvang City Council met for the first in nearly a month for its regular meeting on Monday, Sept. 9.
The council hadn’t met for a while because the meeting for Aug. 26 was canceled due to lack of agenda items, and there weren’t a lot of agenda items for the latest, although there were a couple of presentations.
The second one, which closed out the meeting, was from Julio Morales, a finan cial advisor with Kosmont Financial Ser vices, who was invited by City Manager Randy Murphy to talk about strategies to combat the CalPERS financial liability.
CalPERS stands for California Pub lic Employees’ Retirement System, which is an agency in the California executive branch that “manages pension and health benefits for more than 1.5 million California public employees, retirees, and their families,” its website says.
and Retroactive Benefits.
Morales said the problem with CalPERS among municipalities is that it is unique in that it’s both an investment manager and a plan administrator, which means it not only uses the payroll deductions to put in investments, but to pay current retirees also. That brings essentially two costs, Morales said, normal costs (payment earned by current employees) and Unfunded Accrued Liability (the payment that goes to the retirees).
“Think of those two as a current bill (normal) and a ‘past due’ bill (UAL),” Morales said. “If you lay off all employees you still have UAL. Unfunded liability — that’s what we’re talking about.”
Which brought Morales to the next question: “How did we get here?”
For that, Morales went to a study done by the League of Cities which showed a few factors for UAL.
“Many people think it’s investment losses that has caused liability, but in truth, there are a number of factors,” he said. “Probably the biggest are the Enhanced
“Back when things were good, some municipalities raised the pension rates for the unions, and the rest followed suit,” he said.
“Then when things got bad, they didn’t feel they could undo that raise because then they were worried about retaining employees.”
Morales offered some strategies for paying off the UAL:
• Dipping into reserves or one-time monies
• A soft fresh start, where a municipality can adjust the paying schedule
• Fund exchange (internal loan)
• Pension stabilization fund
• Leveraged refunding
• Tax-exempt exchange
• Pension Obligation Bonds (POBs)
After the presentation, Murphy said, “this is a lot of information, and it’s particularly poignant when we get to budget time, but we will still keep in touch with Julio and consider strategies at a future meeting.”
To which Councilmember Robert Clarke replied, “It’s called tightening our belts.”
At the beginning of the meeting, the council heard one other presentation, from Doug McAllister, VP of external affairs for Frontier, who is putting up new fiber optics cables in Solvang.
McAllister who said he used to be the mayor in Murrieta, California, extolled the virtues of Frontiers fiber optics, calling them “future proof” and much more internet speed.
He explained what would be going on in Solvang as crew install the new fiber: Inspection and utility marking, leading to permit issuance and construction, and cleanup afterward.
He also promised any help he needs to give Solvang: “You say jump, Frontier says ‘how high?’”
After the presentation, Mayor Mark Infanti mentioned how the Chumash tribe has had success with the fiber optic product and that SBCAG has pushing the county broadband initiative to people in rural areas.
“When we had the pandemic, some kids couldn’t log on to school,” Infanti said. “So we really want to push that.”
During Council Comments, Clarke initiated a discussion to get two items on a future agenda.
“I’ve been getting complaints about Solvang not being business-friendly enough,” he said. “I’m tired of businesses getting roadblocks.”
Clarke proposed a guidebook for prospective businessmen that would lead them through the requirements, permits, and process.
“It would be like a guidebook for anyone who wants to build or open a business here,” he said.
The other councilmembers seemed to like that idea although his second one — dissolving the Design Review Board.
Infanti said doing away with the DRC wasn’t necessary, but then caught himself because he wasn’t supposed to criticize the idea, just consider it for a discussion.
Councilmember David Brown spoke up, saying that it was worth a discussion whether or not, so the council directed Murphy to get both subjects on a future agenda.
The next Solvang City Council Meeting will be on Sept. 23, at 6:30 p.m.
Financial advisor Julio Morales shows a slide in his presentation informing the Solvang City Council of the state of CalPERS pension fund. Screenshot from YouTube
NEWS BRIEFS
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2
• Bell Tower — multiple woodpecker holes have significantly impacted the integrity of the bell tower, and a family of bees has recently taken up occupancy.
• Lion & Lamb Stained-Glass Window — deterioration of the seal around the window allows rainwater to leak through, causing structural damage and possible rot to the wood below.
• Exterior Paint — paint is peeling, chipping, and weathered on all three buildings, leaving a generally unsatisfactory curb appeal and the potential for further weather damage.
“The urgency of this campaign cannot be overstated,” a church press release says. “We hope to raise the money to make repairs in September, so the projects can be completed while the weather is agreeable. These capital projects are not merely improvements; they are necessary work to ensure the safety and structural integrity of the buildings today and for the future. The Vestry received bids for the projects and suggests moving forward with the following solutions:
• Bell tower (Repair damage to tower, caused by woodpeckers and bees): $135,000
• Lion & Lamb Stained-Glass Window (Replace the flashing around the window and replace lead soldering): $12,000
• Exterior Paint (Power wash and repaint all three buildings): $125,000
For more information, go to www.smitv.org. St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley Espicopal Church is located at 2901 Nojoqui Ave. (at Alamo Pintado Avenue) in Los Olivos.
Harpischordist to open Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series for 2024-25 Season
Paolo
be
place on Friday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’sin-the-Valley Church in Los Olivos.
“I am so pleased that Paolo Bordignon can join us for our opening 2024-25 performance,” Artistic Director Dr. Robert Cassidy said. “Harpsichordists of his caliber are rare indeed, and for him to take time out of his remarkably busy schedule to come to Los Olivos is an incredibly special gift to us. The audience will experience a musical offering of transcendent beauty by this expert musician.”
The program Bordignon will perform at St. Mark’s includes pieces from Jean-Phillip Rameau’s Suite in D Major, George Frideric Handel’s E-Major Suite (including the muchloved “Harmonious Blacksmith” variations) and sonatas of Domenico Scarlatti as well as music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
Bordignon is the harpsichordist of the New York Philharmonic and has appeared in recent seasons with Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, among others.
As a harpsichordist Paolo Bordignon has recently performed with the MET Orchestra Musicians, Boston Symphony Chamber Players, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, All-Star Orchestra, English Chamber Orchestra, Lincoln Center’s Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, ECCO, as well as a 2018 Trans-Siberian Arts Festival tour with the Sejong Soloists.
St. Mark’s in-the-Valley provides an intimate concert experience with seating for just over 100.
St. Mark’s is pleased to offer the SYV Concert Series as a community arts enrichment program. All people are welcome to enjoy these concerts, and students are always free. Tickets available at smitv.ejoinme.org/SYVCSTickets
GOLETA
Coffee, Cops and Child IDs: Meet up with members of the Forensic Services Bureau
may have. Members of the Forensic Services Bureau will also be there offering child identification kits that include fingerprinting. This event coincides with National Forensic Sciences Week (Sept. 15-21) that recognizes the contributions forensic science makes to the criminal justice system.
The event is open to all members of the community, and there is no cost to attend. We encourage residents to come and meet their local law enforcement officers and enjoy a cup of coffee with us.
Goleta man re-arrested for additional charges stemming from hidden camera case
Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s detectives have re-arrested 54-year-old Steven Schapansky from Goleta on a new charge of child molestation. Deputies began their investigation on Friday, July 12, when they received a report of secret recording devices that were found in the suspect’s possessions.
As a result of the initial investigation, detectives arrested Schapansky on Saturday, July 13, for invasion of privacy with a recording device (misdemeanor), and he was subsequently released.
Detectives have since been conducting follow-up on this case and have identified Schapansky as the suspect in a child molestation case. Detectives obtained a warrant for Schapansky’s arrest and tracked him to where he was staying in the Fresno area. With the assistance of the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, detectives arrested Schapansky on a felony warrant in the city of Fresno on Friday, Sept. 6, at approximately 10 a.m. He was booked at the Northern Branch Jail, where he is being held on $100,000 bail. Identifying information about the juvenile survivor is not available for release.
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation (TBCF) announces the departure of Executive Director Dr. Corey Pahanish after nearly five years of dedicated service. Pahanish will be embarking on a new professional chapter, pursuing faithbased service work in his hometown of San Diego.
During his tenure, Pahanish played a pivotal role in transforming TBCF from a grassroots nonprofit into an influential organization, achieving significant milestones resulting in greater impact on the lives of tri-county families battling pediatric cancer.
Key achievements under Pahanish’s leadership include the expansion of TBCF’s services to young adults aged 18-21, a 40 percent increase in direct financial assistance to families, the addition of individual and marriage counseling to TBCF’s Emotional Support Program, and the cultivation of a passionate and experienced staff.
Pahanish also championed efforts to focus on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) practices, and guiding TBCF to become a trauma-informed institution. His vision and commitment have left an indelible mark on TBCF, and his legacy will continue to shape the organization’s future endeavors.
TBCF is committed to maintaining the cultural shifts Pahanish initiated and will continue to hold its mission at the center of all decisions.
in the
The Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series proudly announces the first concert of its 202425 season, featuring world-renowned harpsichordist Paolo Bordignon. This event will take
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office is excited to invite the community to meet with them at the Goleta Target store for a special edition of Coffee with a Cop, featuring the Forensic Services Bureau. The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Target, 6865 Hollister Avenue, Goleta.
Coffee with a Cop is a community outreach program designed to provide a relaxed environment for residents to engage with local law enforcement. This event offers an opportunity for open dialogue, building relationships, and addressing any concerns community members
Sheriff’s detectives coordinate closely with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office, Victim-Witness Program to ensure the needs of victims are not overshadowed by the focus on the investigation and prosecution of the accused. Advocates are available to ensure that victims are kept informed and supported throughout the criminal justice process. Victims have the option of contacting the Victim-Witness Assistance Program directly at (805) 568-2400 or toll free at (855) 840-3232.
SANTA BARBARA
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation announces leadership transition
As Pahanish departs, TBCF is pleased to announce Brittany Avila Wazny as the new executive director. Wazny, who has been with TBCF as senior development director since early 2021, has a personal relationship to TBCF’s mission and understands first-hand the toll that a pediatric cancer journey has on families. Under Wazny’s previous leadership, TBCF’s revenue consistently increased each year. Notably, 2023 marked the most revenue raised in the organization’s history. Wazny’s devotion to TBCF’s mission, proven track record and resounding support from the community and staff provided the Board the confidence to appoint her as the new executive director.
“I am grateful to be inheriting a skilled and dedicated team, supportive board, transformative programs and partnerships, and a devoted base of supporters that will allow our organization to build on our stability and sustainability, as well as continue to dream big on behalf of our families, who remain our north star,” Wazny said.
Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation advocates for families living in Santa Barbara, Ventura, and San Luis Obispo counties that have a child with cancer by providing financial, educational, and emotional support.
Harpischordist
Bordignon will
featured
opening concert of the Santa Ynez Valley Concert Series. Contributed Photo
SPORTS
Pirates at 1-2 after defeats to Lompoc, San Marcos
SYHS falters in second half in first road game as Royals roll to 23-13 win Sept. 6 in Santa Barbara
By Mike Chaldu michael@santaynezvalleystar.com
Things have gotten a little tougher for the Santa Ynez High football team after a resounding win in their season opener.
On Sept. 6, the Pirates traveled down to Santa Barbara for its first road game of the season, against San Marcos. After taking a six-point lead into the locker room at halftime, Santa Ynez was shut out in the second half, and the host Royals rallied for a 23-13 victory.
The loss dropped the Pirates to 1-2 on the season, pending the result of last Friday’s Homecoming game against Mission Prep. After falling behind 7-0 on the opening drive of the game, Santa Ynez was able to move the ball also and Diego Pulido put the Pirates on the board with a 30-yard field goal. Pulido then made his presence known on defense, intercepting a pass on the next San Marcos possession and returning it to the Royals’ 16-yard line. The Pirates were able to capitalize as Greyson Foy ran 8 yards for a touchdown to give SYHS a 10-7 lead. The Pirates put together a drive just before halftime, moving it to the Royals’ 9-yard line, but a quarterback sack put them back at the 19, and Pulido booted his second field goal, a 36-yarder, for a 13-7 SYHS lead at the half. However, that would be the last points for the evening on the Pirates’ side. The Royals, meanwhile, scored on their first second-half possession as receiver Remy Boynkin, who caught the 56-yard SMHS touchdown earlier, brought in a 24-yard scoring strike from quarterback Danny Diaz for a 14-13 San Marcos lead.
Later in the third quarter, the Royals got a safety when the snap on a Pirates punt deep in SYHS territory went out of the end zone, and San Marcos scored an insurance TD in the fourth quarter when running back Cole Dominguez took a short pass and went 50 yards for a score.
scored later in the first quarter to open up a 14-point lead.
SYHS, however, came back as quarterback Jude Pritchard threw a 37-yard pass to receiver Diego Pulido for the home team’s first score of the night.
Pulido kicked the extra point to make it 147, and in third quarter kicked a 40-yard field goal — closing the gap to 14-10 — making him responsible for all the Pirates’ points on the night.
Despite threatening to catch the Braves in the second half, the Pirates wouldn’t score again, and Lompoc scored two touchdowns in the last six minutes of the game to wrap it up.
Santa Ynez again had a strong and balanced rushing attack, with 178 yards total on the ground and Austin Boucher (51 yard on 8 carries), Pritchard (48 on 8) and Greyson Foy (43 on 3).
Santa Ynez played Mission Prep in its Homecoming game last Friday, Sept. 13, (see santaynezvalleystar.com for the result) and this Friday, Sept. 20, will be traveling to Nipomo for the first of three straight road games. The Pirates’ next home game will be Oct. 18 against Pioneer Valley.
Girls tennis
The Santa Ynez girls tennis team hosted Clovis West on Sept. 10 and beat their visitors from Fresno 7-2. The Lady Pirates raised their record to 9-6 with the win.
On defense, Pulido and Max Andrade had interceptions, defensive end Isaiah Kahn had three sacks, and linebacker Ben Flores had 11 tackles.
The previous week, Aug. 30, the Pirates suffered their first loss of the season, losing to former Mountain League rival Lompoc 2810 at Rio Memorial Field.
After benefitting from six turnovers in its season-opening win over Dos Pueblos the week before, SYHS was the team giving
Despite the promising first half, the Pirates mustered just 165 yards of offense, compared to 328 for the Royals. Quarterback Jude Pritchard had 91 yards on 13-for-26 passing, and Griffin Bruner led the ground game with 31 yards on 10 carries.
up the ball in the season’s second contest as Lompoc intercepted five passes and recovered a fumble. Because of that, the Pirates suffered their first loss despite generating 320 yards of offense on the night.
“We had opportunities, but we couldn’t capitalize on it, because of dropped balls and missed throws,” said Santa Ynez head coach Josh McClurg after that game. “Our offensive line played good again, our running back ran hard, but we need to get better in the passing game.”
An interception on the Pirates on the game-opening drive led to a 9-yard TD run by the Braves’ Marcus Bailon and Lompoc
Keegan Withrow (6-0, 6-4), Kate Mazza (3-6, 7-5, 10-5), Natalie O’Shaughnessy (62, 6-1), and Danielle Hyland (6-1, 6-0) won in singles, and the teams of Hailey Townes/ Withrow (8-4), O’Shaugnhessy/Mazza (8-1), and Claire Tipich/Ainsley Haws (9-7) swept the doubles.
Girls golf
The Santa Ynez girls golf team lost a close 9-hole match 238-243 against Dos Pueblos at the Par 35 Glen Annie Golf Course in Goleta on Sept. 8.
MacKenzie Phelan was the low scorer for the Lady Pirates with a 44. Sagarika Manian of DPHS was the medalist the match with a 38.
Other Pirates in the match were Addison West (48), Sierra Freedman (49), Katherine Becerra (50), Caralyn Barber (52), and Kacy Caplan (54).
Linemen from Santa Ynez and Lompoc high schools gear up for the snap of the ball during the teams’ non-league game Aug. 30 at Rio Memorial Stadium. The Braves beat the host Pirates 28-10. Photos by Mike Chaldu
Santa Ynez High quarterback Jude Pritchard attempts to elude a couple of Lompoc High defenders in the game Aug. 30.
SPOTLIGHT
Ezra Tucker chosen as SLOPOKE’s featured artist and awards jurist
Former Solvang resident ‘considered to be one of the very best wildlife artists in the United States’
By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer
SLOPOKE 2024, a fine art exhibition and sale that focuses on contemporary art of the west has chosen Ezra Tucker as the featured artist and awards jurist for the upcoming SLOPOKE show, which will be held on Sept. 27 through 29 at Monty and Pat Roberts’ Flag is Up Farms in Solvang.
Tucker has worked as a professional fine artist for over 30 years. In his biography, he states that as a young boy, he sat transfixed by images of wildlife and the animal kingdom on television, and he spent many hours at the library researching adventure stories from around the world. His interest in archaeology, history, science, and geography also grew, and in the 1960s, his family purchased the World Book encyclopedia, which further expanded his knowledge.
Tucker went on to study at the Memphis Academy of Arts in Tennessee, where he was encouraged to pursue his interest in wildlife subjects. After college, he worked for Hallmark Cards as a commercial artist, where he remained for five years. While there, he met his wife, Nancy Krause, also an artist. The couple was married in Kansas City in 1983 and moved
to Sherman Oaks, California, shortly thereafter.
Soon after that, the couple began looking for a more rustic environment in which to be creative.
“We wanted to get away from the congestion of the Los Angeles area,” said Krause. “Friends recommended the calm country life up the coast nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley. We moved to Solvang in 1988 and lived on Old Mission Road for 10 years.”
Krause said that during that time, Tucker was doing major national advertising campaigns for Fortune 500 companies and poster illustrations for the movie industry, while she continued to produce illustrations for decorative art products for companies nationwide. “We were both awarded a contract to create U.S. postage stamps,” she said.
Tucker also began to pursue his dream of a fine art career and began painting and selling fine art pieces as commissions to local collectors.
During the ‘90s, the couple had three children — a daughter in 1993, followed by two boys in 1995 and 1999. “We missed the mountains, the solitude, and loved the four seasons, so we moved to Monument, Colorado, where we live today.”
Tucker’s dynamic illustrations have been commissioned by Outdoor Life, Field & Stream, Anheuser-Busch, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, MGM Grand Hotel, Seagram’s, Universal Studios, Warner Brothers, Lucasfilms, and many other publishers and corporations.
“Tucker is considered to be one of the very best wildlife artists in the United States and among the top ten in this genre,” said Tom B.
Burgher, the CEO of SLOPOKE Events. “His work ranges from animal portraits reflecting their unique individualism to narrative paintings of the American West.”
Tucker is presently focusing on portraying the role played by African-American people in settling the West after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, which he says is a little-known element of American history and needs to be told.
“I very much admire Ezra Tucker’s paintings, which continue a tradition of classic American illustration and figurative art; and they are much more than what they might seem at first glance. In his luminous images of majestic animals in their natural settings, Tucker’s deftly captured depictions demonstrate that the artist possesses a zoologist’s eye for accuracy, while also imbuing his subjects with the dignity of formal portraiture, cultivating empathy and respect for the creatures with whom we share a world,” said Bill Anthes of Pitzer College (one of the Claremont Colleges), and author of “Native Moderns: American Indian Painting, 19401960,” and “Edgar Heap of Birds” (both published by Duke University Press) and co-editor of “Dakota Modern: The Art of Oscar Howe” (Smithsonian Institution National Museum of the American Indian).
“I find it necessary to preserve and respect all creatures that inhabit our planet because I believe that we are more connected than most humans acknowledge,” Tucker said. “I represent the beauty and majesty of the animal world … to help influence the preservation of our planet’s varied species.”
Krause specializes in design and handmade jewelry with a Western theme. Her work will also be presented at SLOPOKE 2024. Also, new to SLOPOKE this year are the works of legacy artist, Fred Oldfield (19182017). He was one of the “Granddaddies of Western Art.” The Fred Oldfield Western Heritage & Art Center was built on the Washington State Fairgrounds in Puyallup in his honor and memory. He will be represented by his daughter Joella Oldfield who authored and published a book on his life and art. Copies will be available for sale. This marks the first time SLOPOKE has exhibited the works of a legacy artist. Some of his work will be for exhibit only and some will be for sale.
SLOPOKE is the leading fine art exhibition and sale on California’s Central Coast, drawing artists from across the country, to present paintings, sculptures, and photography. Entering its 14th year, and the eighth consecutive year at Flag is Up Farms, SLOPOKE is limited to 30 juried artists with an Opening Reception and Awards Presentation on Friday night from 5:30 to 7:30 in the evening and then open to the public at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. All ticket holders receive a keepsake Art Book portraying the artists in the show.
Tickets are $25 and available on Eventbrite or www.theslopoke.com.
For more information,call (805) 570-8088,fax (805) 569-1235, visit www.the-slopoke.com, or Facebook/Instagram #slopokewesternartshow. For more information on Tucker’s artwork, visit ezratucker.com, email EzraTucker155@ aol.com, or call (719) 487-0648.
(Left) Husband-and-wife artists Nancy Krause (left) and Ezra Tucker will be at the SLOPOKE show. Tucker is featured artist and awards jurist, and Krause who specializes in design and handmade jewelry with a Western theme, will display some of her work at the show also. (Center) Artist Ezra Tucker, who will be featured artist and awards jurist for the upcoming SLOPOKE art show in Solvang, is shown with a couple of his works. (Right) Artist Ezra Tucker, who will be featured artist and awards jurist for the upcoming SLOPOKE art show in Solvang, is shown with a couple of his works. Contributed Photos
The Vikings of Solvang, a social and philanthropic organization known for their commitment to community service and health-care initiatives, are proud to announce their upcoming Community Blood Drive. This crucial, life-saving event is set for Sept. 25 from 1 to 6 p.m. at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, located at 1745 Mission Drive, in Solvang.
This blood drive represents a vital opportunity for the community to come together and provide much-needed support to local hospitals facing ongoing blood supply shortages. The Vikings of Solvang, with their long-standing tradition of giving back, see this event as an essential part of their mission to offer critical medical assistance to those in need.
Vikings of Solvang to host community blood drive
tive thrives on the generosity of the Santa Ynez Valley community, and our dinner voucher is our way of saying thank you for your support — and for giving the gift of life to those in need.”
How to Participate
Pre-register: Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is encouraged to reduce wait times. Visit www.donors.vitalant.org and enter blood drive code 1081 to schedule your donation time.
Bring ID: Please bring a photo ID and be sure to hydrate before donating.
“Every drop counts,” said Larry Humburger, chief of the Vikings of Solvang. “As the demand for blood in our local hospitals remains high, we urge our friends, neighbors, and fellow community members to join us in making a significant, life-saving impact.”
All eligible donors aged 18 and older are strongly encouraged to participate. Whether you’re a first-time donor or a seasoned contrib-
utor, your donation could save up to three lives. The donation process is simple and safe. Plus, all participants will receive a $25 voucher, redeemable that same night or the following day at participating local restaurants and bakeries, courtesy of the Vikings of Solvang.
“Bring a friend, donate together, and enjoy a meal on us afterward!” said Kim Jensen, the Vikings’ Blood Drive co-chairman. “This initia-
The Vikings of Solvang have partnered with Vitalant Blood Donation to ensure the drive is conducted safely and efficiently, with all necessary health protocols in place.
Since its founding in 1974, the Vikings of Solvang has provided over $3 million in medical aid. With members covering all operating costs, every dollar donated goes directly to helping those in need.
For more information about the Vikings of Solvang Blood Drive, please contact Kim Jensen at (805) 266-8768.
Solvang getting ready for annual Danish Days
Lego Building, Aebleskiver Eating contests just two of the many attractions and activities in weekend-long event
Staff Report
California’s premier Danish heritage festival, Solvang Danish Days (www.SolvangDanishDays.org), is coming this weekend, Sept. 20-22, and this year’s event will see the return of two favorites: the two-day Lego Building Competition, and the Aebleskiver Eating Contest, which will see the return of last year’s winner, competitive eater and internet sensation Raina Huang. And Huang will have some competition as another competitive eater, Naader Reda (@freakeating), will be appearing at his first Danish Days.
The family-friendly Lego Building Competition will take place will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22, as part of the three-day festival weekend.
The event will feature three of California’s stars in the brick-building world, who will compete against each other as they construct their own takes on supersized versions of three of Solvang’s iconic windmills. The Lego Building Competition kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 10 a.m., as the builders begin their projects. Stationed in Solvang Park, at the heart of the unique destination marked by European archi-
tecture and fairy tale ambiance, Saturday’s build will run through 4 p.m. The public is welcome to spectate free of charge as the invited pros craft their building block windmill scenes. Sunday, Sept. 22, brings more in-town building from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., a judging period that starts at 1:30 p.m., followed by a 3 p.m. winner announcement for the best build, which will occur during the Solvang Danish Days Closing Ceremony in Solvang Park. The building competition winner will be awarded a cash prize.
The 2024 Solvang Danish Days LEGO Building Competition builders are as follows:
• Chris Wight – first-place winner in 2022 Solvang Danish Days LEGO Building Competition: Wight, also the first-place winner in Solvang’s April 2022 town-wide Lego Building Competition, has had his brick work featured online, in kids’ TV shows, in magazines and more.
• Jesse Gros – Tied for first place in 2023 Solvang Danish Days LEGO Building Competition: Gros is a life coach, international retreat leader, and author who rediscovered Lego seven years ago with his daughter, Devon. He is an avid builder known for creating large-scale, custom builds, combining steampunk, pirate, and fantasy genres.
• Suzanne Hansen – Tied for first place in 2023
Solvang Danish Days LEGO Building Competition: By day, Suzanne Hansen is an engineer for Kern County. She is also a designer who enjoys using paper and Legos to create,
especially after catching the “bug” in 2017 when she built a model of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.”
Also returning to this year’s Danish Days weekend is Raina Huang (@rainaiscrazy), who will once again travel to the Santa Ynez Valley to compete in the event weekend’s Aebleskiver Eating Contests.
Huang’s first appearance at the Solvang Danish Days Aebleskiver Eating Contest was in September 2018, when she broke all modern Solvang Danish Days records by consuming 36 of the doughy pastry balls in the five-minute competition.
Joining Huang this year in the friendly competition is eating challenger Naader Reda (@ freakeating), participating in his first Solvang Danish Days Aebleskiver Eating Contest.
Both contests (Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22, 2024) are free to enter, all ages are welcome, and the public is invited to compete alongside Huang and Reda. Prizes will be awarded to non-professional eaters in two separate age groups, for both days. The allyou-can-eat five-minute contests will be held at 11:30 a.m. in the Midgaard Pavilion in Parking Lot 2, in downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden (Copenhagen Drive, between First and Second Streets; must be 21 years or older to enter Viking Beer & Wine Garden).
Ticket sales for the Solvang Danish Days 2024 “Dane For A Day” VIP ticket bundle (only available online), as well as advance, on-
line tickets for the Saturday and/or Sunday Æbleskiver Breakfasts, are currently available for purchase at Solvang-Danish-Days-2024. eventbrite.com
Admission to Solvang Danish Days is free and the weekend’s varied offerings include activities for all ages ranging from fan-favorite food events surrounding Æbleskiver, the iconic Danish pastry rounds; to a Danish-style beer and wine garden serving Danish import, Carlsberg beer, alongside local brews, wines and festival eats; to an axe throwing arena; interactive history lessons at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art; story time sessions with Hans Christian Andersen; and, an Old World artisanal crafts marketplace.
Solvang Danish Days also includes plentiful free entertainment with three parades, Danish folk dancers and musicians performing in locations all over town, plus free, live concerts on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in the middle of downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Viking Beer & Wine Garden. Solvang Danish Days will also feature an expanded “Kid’s Korner” this year, which will once again include the popular, and shaded, LEGO® activity tent. Event weekend updates will be posted to the Solvang Danish Days Facebook and Instagram feeds at facebook.com/SolvangDanishDays and @DanishDays.
The partial 2024 Solvang Danish Days event weekend schedule is available online, at www.SolvangDanishDays.org. The schedule can also be found on page 16 of this issue.
Suzanne Hansen is shown with her Lego creation that tied for first at last year’s Danish Days Lego Building Competition. Hansen will be back at Danish Days again this weekend, showing off her building skills. Star file photo
Competitive eater Raina Huang, who holds the Solvang Danish Days aebleskiver eating contest record with 36 (set in 2018) and also won last year’s contest, will be back this weekend along with another competitive eater, Naader Reda.
A new café, a new radio station, dreams long held come to fruition
PARc Place proprietor
Georgina Gettman teams with son of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer for twin projects
By Pamela Dozois Contributing Writer
The entrepreneurial spirit of Georgina Gettman, owner of Sainte Marie Boutique and organizer of the Artisans Markets, has ignited another spark of creativity as she plans on opening Je t’aime Café as well as a new radio station next door to her boutique in PARc Place in Solvang. This is being done in conjunction with two equally creative forces: songwriter, producer, instrumentalist, and singer-songwriter Teddy Jack, and designer Remo Schluep of Swiss Designs Construction.
“PARc Place lends itself to a Parisian style café because of the beautiful courtyard,” said Gettman. “I’m an artist and I like to create experiences for people, which means I want a kind of glamorous, inspirational space with beautiful music wafting throughout the courtyard, where people can enjoy simple and fresh food with eclectic flavors from France, the Mediterranean, and Mexico, highlighting locally sourced ingredients. I will be offering freshly baked goods, sandwiches, Mediterranean-inspired salads, desserts, and delectable coffee.”
Gettman says she will be sourcing her coffee from local California coffee roasters including Beacon Coffee Roasters, who source their beans from family-owned businesses in Africa and South America.
“They are really into the science of coffee and I’m taking sensory master classes that offer insight into the impact that color, shape, and texture have on taste,” said Gettman.
Gettman explains how the idea initially took shape and eventually took on a life of its own.
“At first it started with my wanting an expresso machine,” she said laugh -
ing. “Then I contacted contractor Remo Schluep of Swiss Designs Construction with my thoughts about opening a café. I knew he was the perfect person to approach with my ideas, which kept bubbling up in my head. And once we started, it just grew and grew, and when the suite next door to Sainte Marie became avail -
able we decided to create a full-fledged café. So, we went into partnership. I approached SIMA, the company that owns PARc Place, with the idea and they were delighted to have a café in the courtyard.
“As serendipity would have it, I met Teddy who said he wanted to start a radio station and my dream began to coalesce. I
said ‘Let’s start it in the café,’ and here we are, looking forward to a grand opening around the end of October.”
Jack, the only son of Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Leon Russell, in conjunction with Gettman, will be offering the community access to a new radio station called Teddy Jack’s Hot Rod Radio.
“It’s a platform for the community to express themselves artistically and for community announcements, specifically for Solvang,” said Jack. “No news, no politics, just music. It will focus on rock ‘n’ roll, heavy metal, Latin, blues, jazz, and disco with a special hour for people of knowledge to talk about viticulture, music, or whatever they have expertise in. We will also be recording local talent and broadcasting their music over our station. At times there will be live performances in the [Je t’aime Café] which will be broadcast over the radio station as well.
“I will also record 10 hours of performances by local talent in my studio covering a wide range of artistic tastes. We want to get away from commercialized radio and bring back some really good cultural music that we don’t usually get to hear on the radio these days. I just want to play music.”
Jack said the station will have a modest start, but he is planning big things.
“The first 10 shows will be the base of the radio station and eventually we will record live musicians to make a large music archive,” he said. “We are starting off small with seven watts for our local community of Solvang, but we plan on expanding it to the entire Valley within a year.”
Gettman said in conclusion, “I want to bring everything I love, music, food, wine, and sweets together in the courtyard where people can relax and enjoy themselves in a delightful, calming atmosphere, and positive vibes.”
Artisans Markets are held each month at Buttonwood Farm and Vineyard in Solvang and Saarloos & Sons’ in Los Olivos. Sainte Marie’s Boutique is in PARc Place at 1623 Mission Drive, Solvang. For more information, call (505) 2702332, email shopsaintemarie@gmail.com or visit @shopsaintemarie.
Teddy Jack and Georgina Gettman are looking forward to opening a new radio station called Teddy Jack’s Hot Rod Radio inside the new Je t’aime Café in PARc Place in Solvang. Contributed Photo
ARTS & NONPROFITS
The Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara returns to Santa Ynez
Stones, Beatles, and more!
Group to perform music of the 1960s at St. Marks in the Valley on Friday, Sept. 20
Staff Report
The Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara will be returning to the Santa Ynez Valley for its season-opening show, showcasing the 1960s, on Friday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. at St. Mark’s in the Valley Episcopal Church in Los Olivos.
Songs by the Rolling Stones, Simon & Garfunkel, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival, The Doors, Peter, Paul, and Mary, and more will all be part of the upcoming concert by the Folk Orchestra. Of course, Mick, John, Jimi and the three different Pauls
will not be there in person, but their awesome music of the 1960s will be as the Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara performs one of its most popular events. Even if you do not rock a grey ponytail, you will love hearing traditional folk instruments like guitars, banjos, mandolins, a harp (and, of course, bagpipes) merge with classical strings, wind instruments, and more to create a unique and memorable sound.
“The music of the Sixties has such great range and evokes so many memories,” says founder and music director Adam Phillips, “Our musicians love playing these familiar tunes even as we put our own spin on them.”
The orchestra, made up entirely of community members (and which welcomes guest electric guitarist Bear Erickson for the concerts) has been entertaining music fans since 2017. Acclaimed as a “local musical treasure,”
FOSB is the only folk orchestra of its kind in the United States.
The Folk Orchestra’s Sixties set includes “Paint It Black,” “Little Wing,” “Sounds of Silence,” “Something,” and “Puff, the Magic Dragon” among many other popular songs. For more information, visit the FOSB website or write to adam@folkorchestraSB.com.
The Sixties series opens in Los Olivos on Sept. 20 (7 p.m. at St. Mark’s in the Valley Church) and wraps up in the Orchestra’s traditional home at the El Presidio Chapel in Santa Barbara (Sept. 22 at 4 p.m.). Tickets are available now at www.folkorchestrasb.com.
The Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara is grateful to have the generous support of The Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts, a field of interest fund of the Santa Barbara Foundation.
About the Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara
The Folk Orchestra of Santa Barbara, which serves as the musicians-in-residence for El Presidio de Santa Barbara, was founded in 2017 by Adam Phillips with a unique vision: to share the power, beauty, and excitement of folk music from around the world. FOSB is currently 28 musicians strong, blending orchestral instruments (violin, cello, flute, etc.) with both common and specialized folk instruments (guitar, mandolin, accordion, bagpipe, oud, xiao, hurdy gurdy, and more). The Folk Orchestra performs four concert sets annually, each featuring a different world region or era and has gained a loyal following in the Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez communities.
For more information, visit sbfolkorchestrasb.com.
SYV Chorale hires new music director and begins rehearsals for holiday concerts
Hyejin Jung takes over as group prepares for Dec. 14-15 performances
The Santa Ynez Valley Chorale is pleased to announce the appointment of Hyejin Jung as music director.
“We’re thrilled that Hyejin has joined us as our new director” said Rich Lane, the Chorale’s president. “Chorale members who participated in the audition process, during which Hyejin led a mock rehearsal, were impressed with her rehearsal technique and with her command of the music. This, along with a dash of good humor, all served to draw members directly into the music. We’re looking forward to learning, growing, and performing a variety of music under her expert direction.”
Rehearsals for Chorale’s holiday concerts Dec. 14 and 15 are scheduled every Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Jung recently passed her qualifying exam for her DMA degree in choral music at the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California and is currently writing her dissertation, an analysis of contemporary choral work written in
Church Union’s 50th Handel’s “Messiah” Grand Concert, where she rehearsed a choir of over 300 voices, and securing third place in The National Chorus of Korea Choral Conducting Competition in 2017.
Jung is the choir conductor for the Miracle LA Church in Los Angeles and an assistant conductor for the Korean Community Christian Singers Los Angeles. She was an assistant conductor for Mozart’s opera “Die Zauberflöte” in 2016 and a fellow conductor at the 2023 Chorus America Choral-Orchestra Academy and the 2019 Seoul Oratorio Festival.
post-tonal theory, titled “From Sigh.” Jung has earned a music degree from Ewha Womens University in Seoul, South Korea.
As a choral conductor, Jung is renowned for her musical, effortless, and energetic conducting style. Her notable achievements, include serving as an assistant conductor for the Korean
As both choral conductor and scholar, Jung is passionately dedicated to enhancing the appreciation of works by Asian composers, focusing on deepening, broadening, and sometimes correcting the legacy of Orientalism. During her doctoral studies, she introduced a broad spectrum of Korean choral works to the United States, ranging from accessible and enjoyable compositions to those addressing themes of historical trauma, tragedy, protest, and solace.
Singers interested in making music under the direction of a trained and accomplished professional, are invited to join this long-time choral group. More information is available on the Chorale’s website, www.syvchorale.org.
Buellton unveils September’s featured art
City’s community art project showcases local artists
Staff Report
Each month over the coming year, the City of Buellton will feature a different design and showcase the
contributing artists from their community art project — “Exploring the Ocean.”
September’s featured art is sponsored by Face in Water: Swimming and Water Safety Education, and includes artwork from Terra Federlein, Vienna Greenfield, Kristine Kelly, Reagan Cram, Grayson V. Huu, and Benjamin Ibarra. You can
see their original artwork at buellton. art/2024-september-ocean-art-feature/.
This project is made possible by Buellton’s Art & Culture Program, the California Nature Art Museum (our nonprofit partner), monthly sponsorships, and the support of the Buellton community.
Go to Buellton.Art to:
• See all of the banners and the original art for each design
• Learn about Buellton’s Arts & Culture Program and see how you or your organization can apply for a grant
• Visit our “Shop the Art” store, where you can purchase the art on posters, magnets, totes, water bottles, and more.
Staff Report
Hyejin Jung, who has degrees in music from USC, as well as Ewha Womens University in Seoul, South Korea, is the new musical director for the Santa Ynez Valley Chorale. Contributed Photo
Solvang Danish Days 2024 Schedule
Friday, Sept. 20, 2024
4 to 7 p.m.: Free Concert – Catch local band Sean Wiggins & lOne gOat, performing live on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in Parking Lot 2, in downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome; must be 21 years or older to enter Viking Beer & Wine Garden.
4 to 9 p.m.: Axe Throwing – An axe-throwing arena in downtown Solvang. Participants must be 13 years of age or older to enjoy. Ages 13-17 need to have a parent or guardian present. Closed-toe shoes required. Axe throwing continues on Saturday and Sunday.
4 to 9 p.m.: Viking Beer & Wine Garden – Outdoor beer and wine garden; supports the Solvang Danish Days Foundation. Viking Beer & Wine Garden continues on Saturday. (Guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase alcoholic beverages.)
7:30 p.m.: Torchlight Parade – Free for participants, all ages welcome, candles will be provided. Route begins at Alisal Road and Laurel Avenue, strolling south down Alisal Road and ending at the Midgaard Pavilion Stage (in Parking Lot 2, downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden).
8 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies in Solvang Park introducing the 2024 Danish Maid, Kaeley Reid. Velkommen Street Dance follows with Danish dancers performing to live music.
Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Æbleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive between First and Second Streets, $10 per person (with Danish sausage, $12). Tickets available online in advance, or at the event entrance.
9 a.m.: Old World Artisans Marketplace –Demonstrations and artisan hand-crafted items, including Scandinavian arts & crafts, woodworking, papercutting (papirklip), rosemåling, fabric art, jewelry, pottery, and the
ever-popular Danish Sisterhood Booth. An open-air Nordic shopping district of finely crafted items, on First Street.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Expanded Kid’s Korner featuring the popular LEGO® tent, in Solvang Park, plus Luna’s Jumps attractions on First Street (11 a.m. to 7 p.m.).
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Solvang Danish Days LEGO Building Competition – Watch the creative process as three of California’s top brick builders compete against each other with their own supersized takes on three of Solvang’s prized windmills. Builders will be located in Solvang Park. (Building continues Sunday morning.)
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Living History Days at Elverhøj Museum of History & Art (1624 Elverhoy Way; www.Elverhoj.org). Exhibits come to life during this free, interactive history lesson for all ages. Craftspeople, artisans, and storytellers demonstrate their skills and entertain visitors. Snap a selfie at the Viking photo stop stocked with costumes and props.
10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.: John and Ashley Clark, Hans Christian Andersen Storytimes – Young and old alike will enjoy listening to hours of tales from Denmark’s favorite author. Saturday readings: 10:30 a.m. at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum (at The Book Loft), 1 p.m. at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art.
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.: Axe Throwing – An axe throwing arena in downtown Solvang (see Friday’s listing).
11:30 a.m.: Free Æbleskiver Eating Contest – Contest will be held in the Midgaard Pavilion in Parking Lot 2, downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome for this five-minute competition.
12 to 4 p.m.: Guided Solvang Food Tour – Led by Santa Barbara’s ‘Eat This, Shoot That!‘, discover the best comfort food, hidden watering holes, and artisan shops in downtown Solvang while learning about the local history. Tour includes 8-9 tastings and foodie locations, bites, and sips – with a professional tour guide – while learning foodie
photo tips and tricks using your smartphone’s camera. Details available at eatthisshootthat. com/tours/solvang (Advance ticket purchase is required.)
12 to 9 p.m.: Viking Beer & Wine Garden – supports the Solvang Danish Days Foundation. (Guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase alcoholic beverages.)
2:30 p.m.: Danish Days Parade – Includes the Solvang Village Band atop the Carlsberg Beer Wagon, floats, equestrians, Village Dancers, and more. Line-up starts at 1:30 p.m. on First Street, between Molle Way and Oak Street; parade begins by turning east on Copenhagen Drive, then north on Alisal Road, west on Mission Drive, south on Fourth Place, east on Copenhagen, south on Second Street, finishes at corner of Oak Street near Solvang City Hall. NO CHARGE to participate in the parade; applications are available at www.SolvangDanishDays.org/contact-us.
3:30 to 10:30 p.m.: Free Concerts featuring live performances on the Midgaard Pavilion Stage in Parking Lot 2, in downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome (must be 21 years or older to enter Viking Beer & Wine Garden). Concerts are free and open to the public. Out Of The Blue performs 3:30 to 6 p.m.; The Molly Ringwald Project performs 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Æbleskiver Breakfast on Copenhagen Drive between First and Second Streets (see Saturday’s listing). Advance tickets available for sale at solvang-danish-days-2024.eventbrite.com.
9 a.m.: Old World Artisans Marketplace –Demonstrations and artisan. An open-air Nordic shopping district of finely crafted items, on First Street (see Saturday listing).
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Solvang Danish Days LEGO Building Competition –Watch the conclusion of the creative process as three of California’s top LEGO builders compete against each other with their own, supersized takes on three of Solvang’s prized
windmills. Builders will be located in Solvang Park. Judging of the builds begins at 1:45 p.m. on Sunday, followed by a 3 p.m. winner announcement for the best build, which will occur during the Solvang Danish Days Closing Ceremony.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Axe Throwing – An axe throwing arena in downtown Solvang. (See Friday listing)
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Expanded Kid’s Korner featuring the popular LEGO® tent, in Solvang Park, plus Luna’s Jumps attractions on First Street.
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Living History Days at Elverhøj Museum of History & Art (1624 Elverhoy Way; www.Elverhoj.org). (See Saturday listing).
11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: John and Ashley Clark, Hans Christian Andersen Storytimes –Denmark’s favorite author reads hours of tales. Sunday readings: 11 a.m. at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum (at The Book Loft), 1 p.m. at the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art.
11:30 a.m.: Free Æbleskiver Eating Contest – Contest will be held in the Midgaard Pavilion in Parking Lot 2, downtown Solvang, adjacent to the Danish Days Viking Beer & Wine Garden. All ages welcome for this five-minute competition.
12 to 2 p.m.: Free Concert – Terry & The Ripleys perform live in the Solvang Park Gazebo.
2 p.m.: Children’s Parade – Parade begins at Atterdag Square (corner of Atterdag Road and Copenhagen Drive) and meanders down Copenhagen to Solvang Park. All children and families are welcome to join this event; no charge to participate, and costumes are encouraged.
3 p.m.: Danish Days Closing Ceremony in Solvang Park – The 2024 Danish Days Maid closes the festive event weekend, with a live music performance to follow.
All events listed here are subject to change or cancellation.
FOOD & DRINK
SIDEWAYS UNCORKED
THE PERFECT PAIRING OF FILM AND WINE
Staff Report
Wine and film have long had a symbiotic relationship, with their rich narratives and sensory experiences providing an intoxicating blend for enthusiasts of both worlds. In “Sideways Uncorked,” film critic Kirk Honeycutt and wine journalist Mira Advani Honeycutt explore the remarkable intersection of these two passions through the lens of Sideways, Alexander Payne’s 2004 critically acclaimed film. This dynamic work not only chronicles the making of the film but also examines its profound influence on the wine industry, particularly in the Santa Barbara region.
At its heart, “Sideways” tells the story of two middle-aged men, Miles and Jack, as they embark on a weeklong road trip through California’s wine country. While the narrative explores friendship, love, and midlife crises, it’s the film’s backdrop— the Santa Barbara wine country—and its homage to Pinot Noir that has left a lasting cultural impact. The Honeycutts’ book unpacks this journey, revealing how a film based on an unpublished novel by Rex Pickett became a pop-culture sensation and transformed the wine landscape.
The story behind “Sideways” is as fascinating as the film itself. Rex Pickett, a disillusioned ex-filmmaker, channeled his frustrations and love for wine into a novel that Payne saw cinematic potential in. The result was a film that captured both critical and commercial success, winning an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and catapulting Santa Barbara’s wine country onto the global stage.
What sets “Sideways Uncorked” apart is its dual exploration of both the film’s production and the wine industry before and after its release. Before “Sideways,” Santa Barbara wine country was a hidden gem, appreciated primarily by insiders. However, after the film’s release, it became a mecca for oenophiles and tourists alike, eager to experience the beauty of the vineyards and the complexity of the wines highlighted in the film.
Pinot Noir, in particular, saw a meteoric rise in popularity thanks to the film’s protagonist, Miles, who passionately extolled its virtues. Conversely, the film’s derision of Merlot, encapsulated in the now-iconic line,
“I am not drinking any [expletive] Merlot!” caused a significant dip in its sales. Through interviews with winemakers, restaurateurs, and wine enthusiasts, the Honeycutts delve into these fascinating shifts in consumer preferences and the lasting effects on the wine industry.
In addition to rich narrative content, “Sideways Uncorked” is packed with special features designed to engage both cinephiles and wine aficionados. The book includes a curated list of wine recommendations from various regions, allowing readers to sip along as they explore the story. Behind-the-scenes photos from the film’s production also offer a visual feast for fans, providing glimpses of the movie’s iconic locations and the people who brought it to life.
Kirk Honeycutt’s extensive background in film criticism lends depth to the cinematic analysis of “Sideways,” while Mira Advani Honeycutt’s decades of experience as a wine journalist provide expert insights into the
intricacies of winemaking. Together, they offer a comprehensive look at how one film reshaped both Hollywood and the world of wine. Their combined expertise makes “Sideways Uncorked” a unique and engaging read, perfectly blending the art of storytelling with the craft of winemaking. Whether you’re a movie lover, a wine connoisseur, or simply someone who appreciates a well-told story, “Sideways Uncorked” promises to offer a fascinating and flavorful journey through one of the most iconic films and wine regions of our time.
You can preorder Sideways Uncorked on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or by visiting rowman.com. The book will be released on Nov. 5.
COMMUNITY GARDEN
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meandering walks” around town, picking up trash and scrutinizing the various gardens — noticing what vegetables, fruits, and flowers thrived and what struggled.
“Eventually, I started taking longer walks and bike rides to find other ‘garden’ spots,” Yakutis said. “And I came upon one at a home in the Zaca Creek area, and they had these beautiful hollyhocks, and somehow that gave me the idea to pursue this project.”
By November 2020, Yakutis built a small shade structure behind their industrial building and started a native plant propagation project for her own Guerilla Gardens. Noey Turk of Yes Yes Nursery mentored her. By March of 2021, Yakutis was a regular attendee at the city’s Green Team meetings, had connected with potential collaborators and had developed renderings of her vision for the garden.
In April 2021, Yakutis presented her con-
MAYORAL RACE
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“I’m running for unity for the community. I want to show that we all have the right to run and voice our opinions,” said El-Amin, who has done just that in Public Comment at a few City Council
cept for the city’s Second and Central site to the Buellton City Council and received unanimous support. After a few more steps taken, the City Council voted in October 2022 to allow the BCG to use the lot and have water for 10 years.
Mayor King, who would later say a few words during the public address at the event, praised the garden, calling it “awesome.”
“I remember being shown this vacant lot that was owned by the city, and thinking ‘what the heck are we going to do with this,’” King said. “I mean it was an eyesore, and it was empty for a long time.
“But then they came to us with this project, and I told them that was perfect. I go to other places, and I see community gardens, and I think ‘there you go, people using a little land to benefit the entire community.”
Yakutis said the project really picked up in the past year when Erickson became president of the BCG board.
Greg Erickson said he had left his career in
meeting this year.
“Real estate is extremely expensive. Government has changed the laws and you have to follow the laws, especially with the high-density, and if elected I’ll make sure we follow these laws.”
Another big issue has got with the city are the water bills
homebuilding and was looking for something to do.
“I always felt the community needed ... something,” he said. “There was something I could do, I didn’t know what, but then this garden came along.”
Then, attending one of the board meetings for the garden, Erickson decided to get more involved.
“I went to the one of the first board meetings, and everybody had ideas of how to get the paperwork done, but nobody knew how to build it,” he said. “So I told Annie I’d be glad to get involved in the project if I could design it, and it was a done deal.”
Yakutis also wanted to credit the City of Buellton, the Arts and Culture Committee, the Chumash Foundation, Central Coast Agriculture, Gracie Foundation, and Lois and Steve Craig for their help throughout the project. Many small plaques are on the fence around the garden from people who took part in the fence panel donation drive.
“Our water bills are the highest in the valley; we’re drinking the same water, why are we paying more?” she said, and she also had a problem with an ordinance change the council on July 9. “They changed a law so that the bills are in the landlords’ name and tenants are being behind in payments the city can put a lien on the
Now that the garden is ready to go, Erickson has big plans.
“People are reserving their plots here, but my wife and I are going to keep a couple of them community, and when that’s harvested, we’ll have a table out front to put them on, and people in the neighborhood can take what they want,” he said. “We’re going to have a lot of tomatoes, we’re going to have peppers. Melons. Watermelons. Zucchinis are out of control; we have to harvest the zucchinis all the time.” Erickson also pointed out a currently empty fences that will be a “berry wall,” for, you guessed it, berries.
One other thing Erickson wants for this garden is for it to be a vehicle to bring people together.
“We’ve been polarized in society, with the elections and all that, and I think this is the perfect venue,” he said.
For more information on the garden, go to www.buelltongarden.org/ or www.facebook. com/BuelltonGarden
property, and I think that’s wrong.”
And finally, El-Amin thinks the city needs to keep the younger residents in town.
“We can’t last here with the aging population, we need new young entrepreneurs,” she said. “We need to keep the kids here. We give so much money to marketing firms; why don’t
we funnel some of that to internships to give them a reason to stay.”
Ultimately, El-Amin wants to be the candidate for those who want to shakes things up a bit.
“Solvang needs to change,” she said. “A lot of people here may not want to change, but I represent change.”
EVENTS
GOVERNMENT MEETINGS
TUESDAY, SEPT. 17
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 9 A.M.
Betteravia Government Administration Building, 511 Lakeside Parkway, Santa Maria For more info: countyofsb.org
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18
SANTA YNEZ COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, 5:30 P.M.
At Community Services District Building, 1070 Faraday St. For more info: sycsd.com
THURSDAY, SEPT. 19
BUELLTON PLANNING COMMISSION, 6 P.M.
At Council Chambers, 140 West Highway 246, Buellton For more info: cityofbuellton.com
SOLVANG DESIGN REVIEW COMMITTEE, 6 P.M.
At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak St., Solvang
For more info: cityofsolvang.com
MONDAY, SEPT. 23
SOLVANG CITY COUNCIL, 6:30 P.M.
At Solvang City Council Chambers, 1644 Oak Street, Solvang For more info: cityofsolvang.com
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION, 9 A.M.
County Engineering Building, 123 E. Anapamu St., Room 17, Santa Barbara
For more info: countyofsb.org
LOS ALAMOS COMMUNITY SERVICES DISTRICT, 6 P.M.
At LACSD Board Room, 82 Saint Joseph St., Los Alamos For more info: losalamoscsd.com
THURSDAY, SEPT. 26
BUELLTON CITY COUNCIL, 6 P.M.
At Council Chambers, 140 West
Highway 246, Buellton
For more info: cityofbuellton.com
TUESDAY, OCT. 1
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, 9 A.M.
County Administration Building, 105 E. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara
For more info: countyofsb.org
EVENTS
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 18 A CONVERSATION ON BROADENING CAREER PATHWAYS, 5 P.M.
Join award-winning journalist and author Karin Klein for a compelling discussion on expanding career pathways in our region, at Allan Hancock College’s Boyd Concert Hall. Come explore the challenges and opportunities in providing diverse educational choices, including the importance of community colleges and alternative pathways to success. Klein will also hold a signing for her book “Rethinking College: A Guide to Thriving Without a Degree” at 6 p.m.
At Boyd Concert Hall, Hancock College, Fine Arts Complex Building F, 800 S. College Drive, Santa Maria To RSVP/for more info: www.hancockcollege.edu/calendar/index.
AN EVENING WITH KEVIN NEALON, WITH SPECIAL GUEST ANDY WOODHULL, 7:30 P.M.
Kevin Nealon is an Emmy and SAG-nominated actor and comedian who sets himself apart from other comedic performers with his unique sense of humor, dry wit and likable demeanor. Nealon is best known for his nine-year stint as a cast member of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live,” and received critical acclaim for his role in the hit Showtime series “Weeds”. Kevin currently produces and hosts his digital series Hiking with Kevin, and tours his stand-up globally. Also appearing will be comedian Andy Woodhull, who has appeared on “The
Late Late Show” with James Corden, “Conan,” “Live at Gotham” and “The Half Hour” on Comedy Central. His Dry Bar comedy special on YouTube has over 9 million views.
At Solvang Festival Theater, 420 2nd St., Solvang For tickets/more info: solvangtheaterfest.org/show-details/an-evening-with-kevin-nealon
FRIDAY & SATURDAY, SEPT. 21-22
FUNDRAISER ESTATE SALE, 9 A.M. TO 2 P.M.
Discover treasures from four prominent estates, with all proceeds benefiting the historic Solvang Woman’s Club. Expect the unexpected in this curated sale featuring a delightful mix of old and new, including sought-after vintage items, stunning jewelry, stylish clothing and accessories, artwork from regional favorites, and a wealth of housewares and global décor. From rugs and furnishings to garden accents, find it all while enjoying sustainable shopping at its finest in downtown Solvang. Don’t miss out—join us on the last day, Sunday, for half-price deals! Shop for a cause, and find something special!
At 533 Atterdag Road, Solvang For more info: www.treasuredestates. com/event/summer-design-sale/
SATURDAY, SEPT. 21
FLYING MIZ DAISY VINTAGE MARKET, 9 A.M. TO 3 P.M.
This highly anticipated market will be showcasing some of the best authentic and one of a kind goods at Mission Santa Ines. Our talented curators have been working tirelessly to gather a treasure trove of vintage finds, antiques, home goods, furniture, European items, unique jewelry, clothing and much, much more!
At Mission Santa Ines, 1760 Mission Drive, Solvang For more info: www.flyingmizdaisy.com
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 25
VIKINGS OF SOLVANG
BLOOD DRIVE, 12:30 TO 5:30 P.M.
Join us from 12:30pm to 5:30pm to
donate blood. The Vikings are offering each donor a $25 voucher for dinner at a selection of local restaurants. Encourage your friends to donate and have dinner together afterward!
At Solvangs Veterans Hall, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang For more info: vikingsofsolvang.org
SATURDAY, SEPT. 28
CARS AND COWBOYS EXTRAVAGANZA, 12:30 TO 5 P.M.
Our passion for hosting an event that truly celebrates the automobile, combined with our love of our Valley’s western culture leads us to present to you our annual Cars & Cowboys Extravaganza. This impressive event will allow you to get up close and personal with an array of exceptionally unique vehicles, with the opportunity to chat with their owners. As a special treat, this year’s event will have the original George Barris Batmobile on display. Enjoy this all while reveling in the beauty that surrounds you in the heart of our Los Olivos wine region. Experience the best in automotive craft and culture at the gorgeous Red River Ranch with its impeccably manicured green grass lawn.
One hundred percent of the proceeds from this amazing event will benefit the vital charitable organization, SYV Meals on Wheels, supporting seniors, Veterans, and others in need from Buellton, Solvang, Santa Ynez, Los Olivos, Ballard, and Los Alamos.
At Red River Ranch, 3260 Foxen Canyon Road, Los Olivos For more info: carsandcowboys.com
SUNDAY, SEPT. 29
KID CRAFT ART WORKSHOP: STORY TIME, 2 TO 3:30 P.M.
Join the California Nature Art Museum for a Kid Craft art workshop on Sunday, Sept. 29. Young participants will enjoy a special story time reading with artist Julia Laraway, whose work is exhibited in the second-floor Valley Oak Gallery through Jan. 13, 2025, and will also create their own “quilted” scrub jay with colorful felt pieces. This class is FREE with your
CalNAM membership, or general admission. Remember, admission is always free for kids, and just $5 for adults! All supplies are included. At California Nature Art Museum, 1511-B Mission Drive, Solvang For more info: Contact Rachel Metz at (805) 686-8315 or rachel@ calnatureartmuseum.org.
ONGOING
TUESDAYS, WEDNESDAYS STOYTIME AT SOLVANG LIBRARY, 10:30 A.M., TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS
Join us indoors on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. Come to enjoy songs, stories, movement, and a warm welcome. Please make a reservation at cityofgoleta. org/city-hall/goleta-valley-library At Solvang Library, 1745 Mission Drive, Solvang For more info: Solvang Library (805) 688-4214
WEDNESDAYS SOLVANG FARMERS MARKET, 2:30 TO 6 P.M.
Each week, the farmers in the marketplace display a colorful bounty of agricultural products grown right in our backyard. Seasonal diversity is available year-round rain or shine. Come. Shop. Socialize. Certified — the only way to buy! Join us in downtown Solvang every Wednesday on First Street, between Mission Drive (Highway 246) and Copenhagen Drive.
WINE WEDNESDAYS IN BUELLTON, 4 TO 8 P.M.
Please join us for an evening out with family fun for all in Buellton, hosted by Esfuerzo Wines and The Birria Boyz. This event will take place each Wednesday from 4 to 8 p.m. Each week we will have guest food vendors, live music and much more to be announced. We hope to see you there! At 140 Industrial Way, Buellton For more info: info@esfuerzowine.com
